For comparison's sake, the 1998 Contour SVT was putting out 195hp from it's 2.5L.
Good article though and certainly an interesting car. ![Thumbs up :thumbup:](https://www.autos.ca/forum/Smileys/CarTalk/thumbsup.gif)
the Contour SVT was 24v IIRC, and the 1998 156 2.5 V6 with the 24v version of my engine puts out a nice even 200hp. Change out the throttle body, intake runners, and add an exhaust and a tune and you are at 250 easy. So for sure it is on par.
Plues the Contour doesnt have chrome on it. That is at least worth 2hp! ![Wink ;)](https://www.autos.ca/forum/Smileys/CarTalk/wink.gif)
I can't see that engine putting out an extra 50 hp by just those modifications. Unless the stock stuff is extremely restrictive. And I'd be interested to see what happens to the lower RPM range when the breathing is opened up that much on a NA engine. Most of the time, when you do that on a NA engine, you lose all the bottom end but gain at the top. It's a trade off.
stock is indeed quite restrictive, although the intake is pretty good [already has a cai built in]. The breathing from intake back is the restrictive part. And I have heard no complaints about the torque from members who have done those mods.Oh and forgot that cams might be needed for 30 of that 50 hp bump...IIRC.
For my 12v engine, 220hp is attainable with exhaust, runners, cams, and tune. to get bigger power you need to get into pistons, etc.
oh and Alfas are all about revving high, so it is not a problem that the power gained moves up in the tach...just gives me more of a reason to wind her out and hear her growl!
good to know someone on here really knows their tuning...I will remember to bounce some ideas off of you in the future...